More than 70 non-governmental organizations have expressed opposition to the European Union’s proposed reform of the migration system, comparing it to the enforcement policies of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“The threat is real and immediate,” the NGOs state in their joint declaration, urging European politicians to reject the proposal.

The reform plan, promoted by the European Commission, includes the creation of detention centers outside EU borders for individuals whose asylum requests are rejected, referred to as “return centers.” The proposal also envisions stricter penalties for those who refuse to leave EU territory, such as longer detention periods or confiscation of documents.

NGOs warn that the reform could potentially lead to “police raids” and racial profiling similar to ICE practices in the United States. “We cannot condemn ICE’s actions in the U.S. while supporting such practices in Europe,” said Michelle LeVoy of PICUM, an NGO supporting undocumented people.

Signatories of the declaration include Doctors of the World and Sea-Watch.

Brussels rejects the NGOs’ criticisms, emphasizing that the measures will respect fundamental migrant rights and that the majority of European citizens support the reforms.